“The Ultimate Fighter 12″ finalist Michael Johnson turned in one of the best 10-minute spans of his octagon career thus far, then hung on for dear life before winning a UFC on FOX 2 unanimous decision at Chicago’s United Center.

The lightweight contest served as the second of six preliminary bouts to air on FUEL TV.

Johnson looked quick on his feet in the early going, working various angles in the standup game to pick away at his foe. Roller looked unsuccessfully for a takedown, but Johnson remained upright and continued to pepper his foe with quick, confident hands.

Roller continued to walk forward and look for heavy countershots between occasional clinches, but Johnson remained in control until the bell, even launching a flying knee in the closing seconds.

Roller continued to stalk in the second and was able to land a few heavy right hands. Still, Johnson ended up in top position in a scramble. Johnson was unable to capitalize while there, and it was Roller who again landed heavier shots when the pair returned to the feet. Johnson landed a crisp combination in the final minute and then fended off a few takedowns before the bell sounded in the back-and-forth frame.

As the third round opened, Roller shot in for a takedown. Johnson sprawled well, but Roller deftly stepped over and took the back. He flattened Johnson in a brilliant sequence and began to pound away. Johnson was trapped and could do little to escape, settling instead to just give a thumbs-up signal while griping of shots to the back of the head. Referee Herb Dean eventually intervened, giving a stern warning to Roller for the location of the punches, so he switched to a bodylock and worked for the choke.

Roller couldn’t secure the finish, and as he broke his figure-four to adjust positions, Johnson alertly spun into the hold and moved to his feet. From there, the second odd moment of the final round occurred when a low kick caught Roller in the cup, but Johnson continued to press forward. Dean stepped in again for a timeout, and while the crowd booed the intervention, replays showed his decision was just.

The two both unleashed bombs on the restart, but neither could land flush before the final bell.

In the end, all three judges felt Johnson’s early work was enough for the win, and he was granted a unanimous-decision nod.

With the win, Johnson (10-6 MMA, 2-2 UFC) levels his record in the octagon.

“That fight felt great,” Johnson said. “I controlled almost the entire fight except for the brief period in the third round. I felt like my wrestling defense and my entire game was just so much better all around. I was a little nervous in the third round, but I didn’t panic, and I kept in constant communication with (referee) Herb Dean that I was OK and that some of the shots were to the back of my head. I eventually got myself turned around and got back in a dominant position inside the octagon.

“This was a good win for me, but I’ve got some work to do in the gym to get myself to where I ultimately want to be. I’ve got my eyes set on top-10 status and hopefully title talk sooner rather than later.”

As the UFC 189 tour made its last stop in Dublin, featherweight champ Jose Aldo was met with a torrent of abuse from the Irish fans. It might have been unpleasant, but it might also have been just what he needed.